Exciting new research from Utah State University is set to revolutionize agricultural practices by potentially allowing food crops to generate their own fertilizer through a natural process known as nitrogen fixation.

According to biochemist Lance Seefeldt, who leads the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at USU, this development could transform the future of food production, particularly in areas where fertilizer access has been a persistent challenge.

"Food productivity hinges on fertilizers—specifically nitrogen," Seefeldt explains. "While we require nitrogen for survival, it's not something we can directly extract from the air." This nutrient is typically sourced from dietary proteins, but the reliance on external fertilizer products isn't sustainable, especially in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, where infrastructure is inadequate for fertilizer import and distribution.

Historically, the Haber-Bosch process has played a vital role in converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable for plant growth, significantly boosting global food production and contributing to population growth. However, it also comes with a high carbon footprint, consuming nearly 2% of the world's fossil fuel for production, which brings forth environmental concerns.

Since 2019, Seefeldt has been collaborating with USU Senior Scientist Zhi-Yong Yang and a team of researchers from Spain and the United States to develop an innovative solution. Their mission? To genetically re-engineer staple cereal crops such as corn and rice so they can autonomously fix nitrogen using sunlight—eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers altogether.

In a groundbreaking study published in the upcoming issue of the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, the team, led by Luis Rubio and others from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, reported the identification of a streamlined process requiring just a minimum of seven genes. These genes enable plant cells to produce the necessary enzyme for converting nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere into a usable form of fertilizer.

"The goal is to integrate these genes into the crops' mitochondria and chloroplasts, enabling them to harness their energy to facilitate nitrogen fixation," Yang remarked. "This is an exciting revelation—imagine staple foods like rice and corn possessing built-in fertilizer capabilities!"

Initially, the research team believed they needed nine specific genes for nitrogen fixation. Yet, through their investigations, they discovered that some genes could be excluded from the mix, simplifying the pathway further.

Seefeldt highlights the broader implications of their findings, stating, "The potential to liberate cereal crops from external fertilizer reliance is enormous. While the Haber-Bosch method has kept widespread starvation at bay, it is expensive and environmentally damaging."

Beyond addressing hunger and food security in developing regions, this research also has implications for sustainable farming practices in drought-prone areas. Additionally, it contributes to explorations of future food production possibilities beyond Earth, such as during long-duration space missions to Mars.

As we face increasing challenges related to food security and environmental sustainability, this innovative research could pave the way for a new era of agriculture—one where our food systems are more self-sufficient and less reliant on resource-intensive fertilizers. Stay tuned—this could change everything!